Thanks to The Novel Approach reviews for having me on such a special weekend. It’s Gay Pride here in Kansas City this weekend.
I went to my first Gay Pride Parade in 1995 or 1996 after moving to Denver, Colorado. I couldn’t believe the sheer number of people, literally “out and about,” all gathered in one place. I had been out for a few years at that point, so it wasn’t like the first time I went to a gay nightclub. All these folks were parading down one of Denver’s most famous streets with the parade culminating in Civic Center Park.
As the years have gone by, the Pride Festivals seem to get bigger, the Parade longer. There seem to be more and more children and “family events.” It never ceases to amaze me to see the progress we make each year. Marriage equality is a reality in 19 states and at a national level. The Presbyterian Church (USA) approved to sanction same-sex marriage and allow ministers to marry same-sex couples in states that allow it.
Another thing I like about progress is the fact that there is a whole genre of books devoted to LGBT characters in a myriad of different situations. Yes, I know, LGBT books have always been available. You had to know where to find them. But ebooks have made them more readily available and opened up the genre to readers that might not know about our stories. My goal, as a writer, is that if just one person reads my novels and can be persuaded that we want the same thing they want: to live our lives and raise our families freely with the same benefits of marriage and other civil rights as anyone else.
What’s your favorite memory of Gay Pride? I’d love to hear!
Thank you for your thoughts. As an LGBT supporter it does my heart good to see the progress. I know there is still so much that needs to happen but I think it’s always good to enjoy the accomplishments.
Thanks so much for having me today!
Thanks for your support, Joy!!